Two Gaston businesses are among the state’s most disreputable, says the Better Business Bureau.

One of those, MZ. Auto Inspections appears to have closed.

But the nonprofit group puts Gastonia-based Home Appliance Repair at the top of its “Dirty Dozen” list for the second year in a row.

Appliance repairman Michael David Henderson is a repeat offender whose customers have filed 26 complaints against him since 2000, the Better Business Bureau said. Those included 12 in 2012.

The organization also said the man has operated under 10 different business names in the past 12 years.

No one answered at the telephone number listed for Home Appliance Repair on Wednesday, and an automated message occasionally said no one was available at the number.

Messages left in writing and on voicemail at the Coachwood Lane home where the business is registered were not returned.

Unsatisfied customers have had similar trouble contacting the repairman, said the Better Business Bureau.

“According to complainants, Henderson determined that (a) broken appliance needed a part, collected the money for the part, but then didn’t return to install it,” said organization president Tom Bartholomy in a media release.

“With his frequent business name changes, he is making it difficult for consumers to track him down to obtain a refund.”

Some clients also said Henderson did work at their homes but did not fix the problems he was supposed to repair. People reported paying the man amounts varying from $150 to $927.

Complaints against Home Appliance Repair came from Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Iredell, Cabarrus, Union and York counties.

Also making the Dirty Dozen this year was former Belmont garage MZ. Auto Inspections.

The South New Hope Road auto repair center closed, but new owners have taken over the location, now Ms. Ds Auto Service.

Co-owner Dawn Horne says MZ. Auto owner Elizabeth Williams is in no way affiliated with the new shop. Still, she said the former company’s bad reputation has been a hurdle to operating in Belmont.

The Better Business Bureau also heard plenty about MZ. Auto, which previously had at least two other locations in Mount Holly and Gastonia.

The garage had five unanswered complaints in 2012 and seven total complaints since 2010.

Those alleged poor work and a lack of follow up.

The Better Business Bureau considers a grievance unanswered after it sends the matter to the business three times without getting a response.

The Better Business Bureau’s Dirty Dozen for 2012

1. Home Appliance Repair

Gastonia

For the second year in a row, Gastonia-based Home Appliance Repair tops the BBB’s list with 12 unanswered complaints in 2012. Consumers from seven counties in North and South Carolina paid Michael David Henderson for appliance repairs that they allege were not done properly, if at all.

Page 2 of 3 -

2. Waterford Square Apartments

Charlotte

Nine residents of this apartment complex filed complaints with the BBB in 2012, all of which went unanswered by the apartment manager. Since 2001, Waterford Square residents have filed 36 complaints with the BBB, citing maintenance, management and repair issues.

3. The Handyman Co.

Hickory

In 2012, eight homeowners from six counties (Catawba, Burke, Lincoln, Union, Mecklenburg and York) filed complaints against The Handyman Co. Complaints focus on poor quality work and lack of follow-up. Owner Chris Robinson did not respond to any of these complaints.

4. Historical News Journals

Cornelius

This company sells old newspapers online at www.historicalnewsjournals.com. In 2012, 25 customers filed complaints, which focus on orders not fulfilled and refund issues. Owner Chip Dolfi blamed financial problems caused by employee embezzlement in response to some of the complaints, but he has not answered eight complaints.

5. Carolina Color Solutions

Cornelius

Owned by Todd Engel, Carolina Color Solutions had eight unanswered complaints in 2012 and 15 total complaints since 2008. Complaints focus on poor quality work and lack of follow-up.

6. Southend Car Store

Charlotte

This auto repair service had eight unanswered complaints in 2012 and 26 total complaints since 2006. Complainants allege that they were quoted lower prices than what they were charged and that the repairs took longer than projected.

7. Appliance Repair

Charlotte

Benny Hilliard Stafford had five unanswered complaints in 2012 for appliance repairs that were allegedly not done properly, if at all. Since 2006, Stafford has used 18 business names, 18 telephone numbers, seven aliases and has had 56 total complaints filed with the BBB. He also made the Dirty Dozen list in 2011 and 2007.

8. Advantage Debt Solutions Inc.

Charlotte

Advantage Debt Solutions claims it will settle past-due debts for clients. Owned by Anthony Edward Krysinski, the debt relief service had five unanswered complaints in 2012 and 17 total complaints since 2008. Complainants cite lack of documentation to show how the money they paid to settle their debts was paid toward balances owed and lack of response from the company.

9. Aryca Solutions LLC

Fort Mill, S.C.

Aryca Solutions is a debt collector for online payday lending services. The company had nine complaints filed against it in 2012, of which five complaints are unanswered.Complainants cite lack of documentation of debt owed or money paid.

10. MZ. Auto Inspections

Belmont

This auto repair service had five unanswered complaints in 2012 and seven total complaints since 2010. Complainants allege poor quality work and lack of follow up.

11. Medrano Express

Charlotte

Page 3 of 3 - Medrano Express ships packages and provides wire transfer services to foreign countries. Complaints focus on lengthy shipping times in excess of three months. The company had five unanswered complaints in 2012 and six total complaints.

12. Henry’s Auto Service

Charlotte

This repair service had four unanswered complaints in 2012 and six total complaints since 2010. Complainants allege poor quality work and lack of follow up.